Florida State’s soccer team is filled with international and first-year players, but they all know how important a match against in-state rival Florida is.

The upperclassmen make sure of it.

“I think a lot of people can agree the FSU/UF rivalry is a big one across the country,” said junior midfielder Macayla Edwards. “I think they feel it in the locker room, on the field before we play them – there’s a lot of energy coming into this game.”

Even if the rivalry didn’t exist, Friday's game is big for the No. 13 Seminoles. The Gators are the No. 9 in the country and are off to a 5-1 start. The match in Gainesville is FSU’s first against a ranked opponent this season.

As it stands, there’s certainly a rivalry there. The Seminoles are 10-13-0 all-time against the Gators and have lost back-to-back games dating back to 2014.

The Seminoles last season missed an opportunity to get revenge for a 3-2 defeat in Gainesville in 2015. The annual game, set to be played in Tallahassee, was canceled in the wake of Hurricane Hermine.

As Hurricane Irma looms over Florida, this year’s FSU-UF game is still set to be played at 7 p.m.

That 3-2 loss in 2015 was junior midfielder Megan Connolly’s first, and only, experience with the Gators. Connolly is from Ireland and said she adjusted quickly to the atmosphere in Gainesville when the Seminoles played there.

James G. Pressly Stadium was packed that day. On a humid August Sunday, 3,253 came to watch the Seminoles and the Gators.

“When I first came here I knew it was a big rivalry,” Connolly said. “Back home in Ireland we have different places where I’m from where there’s this big rivalry between the two teams. I guess, over the years I learned how big it is and how much people look forward to it.

“I’ve taken that myself. I know how big it is and it’s an exciting game to play.”

The Seminoles are coming off a 4-0 win over Kentucky, but recently lost 1-0 to Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Sophomore striker Deyna Castellanos leads FSU with six goals.

“The Alabama game kind of showed a lot of our weaknesses,” said Connolly, who is second on the Seminoles with three goals.

“It was the first game where we really saw if we didn’t do what we have to do right, another team is going to take advantage of that. After that we did a lot of video… everyone took it upon themselves to say, ‘What do I need to fix to help the team?’

“You saw the next game, it was just a step up from the last game.”

Head coach Mark Krikorian said the team still has its usual “game-by-game” focus, even though Friday's game is against a rival.

“It’s such a healthy rivalry,” Krikorian said. “They have a very good program over there. Every year they’re a top-10, top-15 team, as we are. Every year when we go play, both teams put on a very good show for the folks here in Florida. If it’s broadcast, the other folks as well.

“We’re looking forward to it. We know it’s going to be a good, competitive game.”